Tents remained in D. João I Square in Porto for part of the night following demonstrations in support of the right to housing. Police did not initially require the removal of around ten tents, but protesters took them down voluntarily at approximately 4:30 a.m. after receiving a warning from officers. According to SIC Notícias and CNN Portugal, the demonstrators feared a new police intervention.
In Lisbon, Rossio Square was reportedly almost empty, with only some protest posters remaining at the base of the statue of King Pedro IV.
The police operations took place simultaneously early on Sunday in Porto and Lisbon, where officers dispersed the encampments and removed the tents from public spaces. Seven protesters were detained in Porto and six in Lisbon. The operations also left 13 PSP officers and several demonstrators injured.
The 13 detainees were scheduled to appear in court on Monday for an initial judicial hearing. Those detained in Porto were due to be heard at 10 a.m. at the Porto Criminal Court, while the Lisbon detainees were expected at 2 p.m. at the Campus of Justice.
Ricardo Sá Fernandes, one of the lawyers representing protesters in Lisbon, said he would file a criminal complaint against Interior Minister Luís Neves and PSP national director Pedro Moura, challenging the legality of the police response and the use of force.
The developments came as President António José Seguro requested detailed information from the government and the Ombudsman about the police operations, the detainees and those injured. The Council of State was also scheduled to meet in Lisbon to discuss social cohesion, amid continuing demonstrations over access to housing.
Sources: Observador.